Leash assembly

ABSTRACT

A leash assembly includes a belt and at least one connector piece coupled to the belt. The belt can be worn by a subject around the torso, shoulders, neck or wrist. Each connector piece is configured to move along at least a portion of the belt. In some embodiments, the connector piece is a link configured to be receive the belt and to move along the belt. Alternatively, the belt has one or more tracks, in which the connector piece is configured to travel on thereby allowing the connector to travel along the belt. Each connector piece is coupled with a leash. In some embodiments, the leash has a retractable end. The leash assembly can include adornments and/or a carrier coupled to the belt.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved leash assembly, whichallows a leash coupled with a belt to move along at least a portion ofthe belt.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A leash can be used, for example, to control or restrain a child or ananimal. However, prior art leashes suffer from a number of shortcomings.For example, many prior art leashes typically include a harness (i.e.,body strap or neck strap) securely affixed at a single location on theharness worn by a child or animal. As a result, the leash may becometangled when the child or the animal rotates around a holder. In somecases, the prior art leash also does not provide sufficient anchorage.Furthermore, the other end of the prior art leash is typically held in ahand of a parent or owner. However, holding the leash by the hand mayhave adverse physical affects on the holder who must exert a force on asmall area as they resist the motion of the tugging child or animal. Thepresent invention addresses these limitations in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A leash assembly includes a belt and at least one connector piececoupled to the belt. The belt can be worn by a subject, such as a personor an animal, around the torso, shoulders, neck or wrist. Each connectorpiece is configured to move along at least a portion of the belt. Insome embodiments, the connector piece is a link configured to bereceived by the belt and to move along the belt. Alternatively, the belthas one or more tracks, in which the connector piece is configured totravel on thereby allowing the connector to travel along the belt. Eachconnector piece is coupled with a leash. In some embodiments, the leashhas a retractable end. The leash assembly can include adornments and/ora carrier coupled to the belt.

In one aspect, a leash assembly includes a belt and at least oneconnector piece coupled to the belt. The belt is typically adapted toform a loop with an adjustable circumference. Each connector piece isconfigured to move along at least a portion of the belt. The leashassembly also includes at least one leash. Each connector piece istypically coupled with a first end of one of the at least one leash. Insome embodiments, the connector piece is configured to release andretract the leash. In addition or alternatively, a second end of theleash can be coupled to a retractor for releasing and retracting theleash.

In some embodiments, the first end of the leash is configured to rotateabout an axis substantially perpendicular to a face of the belt. In someembodiments, the leash assembly further includes an adornment coupledwith the at least one connector piece. The adornment can be removable.In addition or alternatively, the leash assembly includes a carrier or abackpack coupled to the belt.

In some embodiments, the belt has an outer band and an inner band. Insome embodiments, a single strand forms the outer band and the innerband. In other embodiments, the outer band and the inner band can be twoseparate bands coupled together as one. The connector piece is typicallyconfigured to receive the outer band. The belt also includes a bucklehaving a first portion and a second portion. The first and second buckleportions are adapted to fasten together. The inner and outer bands maybe threaded through the first buckle portion, the second buckle portionor both. In addition or alternatively, the inner and outer bands mayeach be affixed to the first buckle portion, the second buckle portionor both. In some embodiments, when the inner band is tightened, theouter band is configured to loosen by the amount tightened. Similarly,when the inner band is loosened, the outer band is configured to tightenby the amount loosened. In other embodiments, the inner band and theouter band are configured to be adjusted simultaneously in the samedirection.

In some embodiments, the belt includes a first track, and the connectorpiece is configured to move along the first track. In some embodiments,the first track is along a planar surface of the belt. In otherembodiments, the belt further includes a second track, wherein the firsttrack and the second track are parallel to the length of the belt. Forexample, the first track can be along a top portion of the belt and thesecond track can be along a bottom portion of the belt. In someembodiments, the connector piece is C-shaped and has a first end forcoupling with the first track and a second end for coupling with thesecond track.

In another aspect, a leash assembly includes a link, a belt threadedthrough the link, and a leash coupled with the link. The link istypically configured to move along at least a portion of the belt. Thebelt includes an outer band and an inner band, wherein the link isconfigured to receive the outer band. The belt also includes a buckle.The buckle has a first portion and a second portion adapted to fastenwith the first portion. The inner and outer bands are threaded throughor affixed to the first portion, the second portion or both. In someembodiments, when the inner segment is tightened, the outer segment isconfigured to loosen by the amount tightened. Similarly, when the innersegment is loosened, the outer segment is configured to tightened by theamount loosened. In other embodiments, the inner band and the outer bandare configured to be adjusted simultaneously in the same direction. Insome embodiments, the inner band is wider than the outer band.

In yet another aspect, a leash assembly includes a belt including afirst track, a connector piece configured to move along the first track,and a leash coupled with the connector piece. In some embodiments, thefirst track is along a planar surface of the belt. In other embodiments,the leash assembly further includes a second track, wherein the firsttrack and the second track are parallel to the length of the belt. Insome embodiments, the first track is at a top portion of the belt andthe second track is at a bottom portion of the belt. For example, thefirst track can be along a top edge of the belt and the second track canbe along a bottom edge of the belt. The connector piece is alsoconfigured to move along the second track.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of the presentinvention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The samereference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and thefollowing detailed description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1A illustrates a leash assembly using a double-stranded belt inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates another leash assembly using a double-stranded beltin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a leash assembly using a belt with two tracks thereonin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a leash assembly using a belt with one track thereonin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a leash assembly including a backpack in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, numerous details are set forth forpurposes of explanation. However, one of ordinary skill in the art willrealize that the invention may be practiced without the use of thesespecific details. Thus, the present invention is not intended to belimited to the embodiments shown but is to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and features described herein.

The present invention is directed toward a leash assembly. The leashassembly includes a belt and at least one connector piece coupled to thebelt. The belt can be worn by a subject around the torso, shoulders,neck or wrist. The belt is typically adapted to form a loop. The beltcan be worn by a person or by a pet, such as a dog. The belt is made ofmaterial such as, but not limited to, nylon, suede, leather, patentleather, reptile skins, and other suitable materials. Each connectorpiece is configured to move along at least a portion of the belt. Insome embodiments, the connector piece is a link configured to receivethe belt and to move along the belt. Alternatively, the belt has one ormore tracks, in which the connector piece is configured to travel onthereby allowing the connector to travel along the belt. Each connectorpiece is coupled with a leash. In some embodiments, the leash has one ormore retractable ends. The leash can have elastic properties. The leashassembly can include adornments and/or a carrier coupled to the belt.

FIGS. 1A-3 illustrate different embodiments of the leash assembly inaccordance with the present invention. Specifically, as discussed indetail below, the leash assemblies shown FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 allow aconnector piece coupled with a leash to travel along a significantportion of the circumference of a belt but not necessarily the entirecircumference of the belt. However, the leash assembly shown in FIG. 3allows a connector piece coupled with a leash to travel along the entirecircumference of a belt.

FIG. 1A illustrates a leash assembly using a double-stranded belt inaccordance with the present invention. The leash assembly 100 includes abelt 105, a connector piece 115, and a leash 110. The belt 105 includesan outer band 105 a and an inner band 105 b. The connector piece 115 istypically coupled with the outer band 105 a and is configured to movealong at least a portion of the belt 105, particularly the outer band105 a. The connector piece 115 is also coupled with the leash 110. Insome embodiments, the connector piece 115 is configured to allow theleash 110 to rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to a faceof the belt 105. The connector piece 115 shown in FIG. 1A is a closedlink. The closed link can be an O-ring, a D-ring, or a link with twoparallel legs. Although the configuration of one connector piece 115 andone leash 110 is shown in FIG. 1A, other configurations can includemultiple connector pieces, where each of the connector pieces is coupledwith a leash.

The leash assembly 100 of FIG. 1A also includes a buckle 120. The buckle120 has a first portion 120 a and a second portion 120 b. The first andsecond buckle portions 120 a, 120 b are adapted to fasten together. Thistype of buckle 120 typically prevents the connector piece 115 from beingcapable of traveling the entire circumference of the loop formed whenthe belt 105 is buckled. The belt 105 can be a single strand with firstportion constituting the outer band 105 a and a second portionconstituting the inner band 105 b. The single strand is coupled withboth the first and second portions 120 a, 120 b of the buckle. Thesingle strand is threaded through the first buckle portion 120 a, thesecond buckle portion 120 b, or both. In addition or alternatively, thesingle strand can be affixed to the first buckle portion 120 a, thesecond buckle portion 120 b, or both.

As shown in FIG. 1A, both the outer band 105 a and the inner band 105 bare threaded through the first buckle portion 120 a. The first buckleportion 120 a is configured to “grab” onto a portion of the belt 105 andprevents the belt 105 from being loosened from its configuration unlessthe belt 105 is manually adjusted. Typically, when the belt 105 isadjusted for fit, the outer band 105 a and the inner band 105 b moverelative to each other. Specifically, when the inner band 105 b istightened, the outer band 105 a is configured to loosen by the amounttightened. Similarly, when the inner band 105 b is loosened, the outerband 105 a is configured to tighten by the amount loosened. Putdifferently, when the belt 105 is loosened, a portion of the outer band105 a becomes the inner band 105 b. And, when the belt 105 is tightened,a portion of the inner band 105 b becomes the outer band 105 a. Whereasthe belt 105 is adjustable at the first buckle portion 120 a, the belt105 at the second buckle portion 120 b is affixed to the second buckleportion 120 b.

Alternatively, both the outer band and the inner band are configured tobe adjusted together in the same direction. As shown in FIG. 1B, theleash assembly 100′ is similarly configured as the leash assembly 100.An approximate mid-point of the belt 105′ is affixed to the secondbuckle portion 120 b, while the two ends of the belt 105′ are coupledtogether and threaded together through the first buckle portion 120 a.Typically, the outer band 105 a′ is longer than the inner band 105 b′.In some embodiments, the inner band 105 b′ is wider than the outer band105 a′. The first buckle portion 120 a is configured to prevent the belt105′ from being loosened from its configuration unless the belt 105′ ismanually adjusted. An example is shown in FIG. 1B where the two ends ofbelt 105′ are threaded through the first buckle portion 120 a to preventthe belt 105′ from being loosened. Typically, when the belt 105′ isadjusted for fit, the outer band 105 a′ and the inner band 105 b′ areboth simultaneously adjusted in the same direction so the space betweenthe outer band 105 a′ and the inner band 105 b′ remains consistent.

Alternatively, each of the outer band and the inner band can have aseparate adjustment “clip” (not illustrated) for independent bandadjustment.

It should be noted that the belts in FIGS. 1A-1B have been described asa single strand configured to form an inner and outer band. However, itis contemplated that the belt in FIG. 1B can comprise two strandscoupled together. In such a configuration, a first end of a first strandis coupled with a first end of a second strand, and a second end of thefirst strand is coupled with a second end of the second strand. One endof the strands is affixed to a buckle portion such as the buckle portion120 b, while the other end of the strands is threaded together throughanother buckle portion such as the first buckle portion 120 a.

In some embodiments, the belt 105, 105′ is coated with material, such asTeflon®, to allow the connector piece 115 to easily move along the belt105, 105′. At least the inward facing surface of the outer band 105 a,105 a′ is coated.

In addition or alternatively, the connector piece 115 is coated withmaterial, such as Teflon®, to allow it to easily move along the belt105, 105′. The connector piece 115 can also be made of a low frictionmaterial such as stainless steel.

In addition or alternatively, legs of the connector piece 115 issurround by a hallow cylindrical tube, to allow the connector piece 115to easily move along the belt 105, 105′.

In some embodiments, the leash assembly 100, 100′ can include anadornment 130 coupled to the connector piece 115. For example, theadornment 130 can be a butterfly, train, car, dog bone, mouse or otherornamental design. As the connector piece 115 moves along the belt 105,the butterfly “flies” around the wearer, the train “chugs” around thewearer, or the car “races” around the wearer. It is contemplated thatthe adornment 130 is removable and exchangeable.

In some embodiments, one end of the leash 110 is coupled with a handheldretractor 125 for retracting and extending the leash 110. The retractor125 is typically held by a parent of a child using the leash assembly100 or an owner of a pet using the leash assembly 100. In otherembodiments, the connector piece 115 is configured to retract and extendthe leash 110.

FIG. 2 illustrates a leash assembly using a belt with two tracks thereonin accordance with the present invention. The leash assembly 200includes a belt 205, a connector piece 215, and a leash 210. Theconnector piece 215 is coupled with the leash 210. In some embodiments,the connector piece 215 is configured to allow the leash 210 to rotateabout an axis perpendicular to a face of the belt 205. In someembodiments, the connector piece 215 is configured to retract and extendthe leash 210.

The belt 205 includes a buckle with a prong 225 and a plurality of holes230, each configured to receive the prong 225. The belt 205 isadjustable around the wearer of the belt 205. The belt 205 also includesa first track 220 a and a second track 220 b along the length of thebelt 205. Typically, the first track 220 a is at a top portion of thebelt 205 while the second track 220 b is at a bottom portion of the belt205. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the first track 220 a is along atop edge of the belt 205, and the second track 220 b is along a bottomedge of the belt 205. The connector piece 215 is typically C-shaped. Afirst end of the connector piece 215 couples with and travels on thefirst track 220 a, and a second end of the connector piece 215 coupleswith and travels on the second track 220 b. In some embodiments, thefirst and second ends of the connector piece 215 are each coupled with aball or the like so that the connector 215 can easily on the first andsecond tracks 220 a, 200 b. The balls can be integrally formed with theconnector piece 215. This type of buckle typically prevents theconnector piece 215 from traveling the entire circumference of the loopformed when the belt 205 is buckled.

Similar to the leash assemblies 100, 100′ described above, the leashassembly 200 can also include a handheld retractor coupled to one end ofthe leash 210. The leash assembly 200 can also include an adornmentand/or retractor coupled to the connector piece 215. Although theconfiguration of one connector piece 215 and one leash 210 is shown inFIG. 2, other configurations can include multiple connector pieces,where each of the connector pieces is coupled with a leash. Theconnector piece 215 is configured to move along at least a portion ofthe belt 205.

The buckles illustrated in FIGS. 1A-2 are only exemplary and can beembodied by multiple different configurations. Clip buckle types asshown in FIG. 1A-1B may allow the user to put on or remove the belt morerapidly and better keep previous adjustments for fit. A more traditionalbelt buckle such as the one shown in FIG. 2 may provide a stronger hold.There are other more secure variants similar to those used on climbingharnesses in which the belt is looped back over itself in the buckle.

FIG. 3 illustrates a leash assembly using a belt with one track thereonin accordance with the present invention. The leash assembly 300includes a belt 305, a connector piece 315, and a leash 310. Theconnector piece 315 is coupled with the leash 310. In some embodiments,the connector piece 315 is configured to allow the leash 310 to rotateabout an axis perpendicular to a face of the belt 305. In someembodiments, the connector piece 315 is configured to retract and extendthe leash 310.

The belt 305 is C-shaped and has a track 320 along the planar surface ofthe belt 305 which allows the connector piece 315 to move along on. Insome embodiments, the connector piece 315 is a planar disk or a ballsized and adapted to fit within the C-shaped channel of the belt 305.Alternatively, the connector piece may include an upper and lowerportion adapted to fit within the C-shaped channel 305 and a raisedmiddle portion providing a gap between the connector piece and themiddle portion of the track 320 thus allowing the connector piece tomove over one or more belt studs 325 b protruding through one or morestud sockets 325 a. Unlike the previous leash assembles 100, 100′, 200described above, the leash assembly 300 allows the connector piece 315to travel along the entire circumference of the belt 305 using adifferent buckling mechanism. Similar to the previous leash assemblies100, 100′, 200 described above, the belt 305 is also adjustable aroundthe wearer of the belt 305. The belt 305 has a first end 305 a and asecond end 305 b. The first end 305 a is typically wider than the secondend 305 b and has means to receive and couple with the second end 305 b.For example, a first side of the belt 305 has hooks, and a second sideof the belt 305 has loops. For another example, the first side of thebelt 305 has studs 325 b, and the second side of the belt 305 hascorresponding one or more sockets 325 a for receiving the studs.

Similar to the leash assemblies 100, 100′, the leash assembly 300 canalso include a handheld retractor coupled to one end of the leash 310.The leash assembly 300 can also include an adornment and/or retractorcoupled to the connector piece 315. Although the configuration of oneconnector piece 315 and one leash 310 is shown in FIG. 3, otherconfigurations can include multiple connector pieces where each of theconnector pieces may be coupled with a leash. The connector piece 315 isconfigured to move along the entire belt 305.

FIG. 4 illustrates yet another leash assembly in accordance with thepresent invention. The leash assembly 400 is similarly configured as oneof the leash assemblies described above. However, the leash assembly 400further includes a backpack 405. The backpack 405 has at least one bodystrap to be worn by the wearer. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the backpack405 includes two shoulder straps that couple with the belt of the leashassembly 400 to be worn by a person.

An advantage of the present invention lies in the ability of a leash tomove along at least a portion of a belt worn by a wearer regardless ofthe wearer's position relative to the holder of the leash. The presentinvention advantageously allows the wearer to be ahead, behind, the leftor the right of the holder of the leash without the leash tanglingaround the wearer.

While the invention has been described with reference to numerousspecific details, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatthe invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. Further, one of ordinary skill havingthe benefit of this disclosure will readily appreciate that the elementsof the several embodiments are interoperable and interchangeabletherebetween as necessary to achieve specific application goals. Thus,one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the invention isnot to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather isto be defined by the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A leash assembly comprising: a. a single belt including afirst section adapted to form an inner loop and a second section adaptedto form an outer loop configured to surround the inner loop, wherein theinner loop is substantially coextensive with the outer loop yet detachedfrom substantially the entire circumference of the outer loop; b. afirst connector piece coupled with the outer loop, wherein the firstconnector piece is configured to move along at least a portion of theouter loop, wherein the length of the path of movement of the firstconnector piece changes in relation to the total circumference of thebelt; and c. a first leash, wherein a first end of the first leash iscoupled with the first connector piece.
 2. The leash assembly of claim1, wherein the first connector piece is configured to release andretract the first leash.
 3. The leash assembly of claim 1, wherein asecond end of the first leash is coupled to a retractor for releasingand retracting the first leash.
 4. The leash assembly of claim 1,wherein each of the first loop and the second loop has an adjustablecircumference.
 5. The leash assembly of claim 1, wherein the beltincludes a buckle having a first portion and a second portion, whereinthe first and second buckle portions are adapted to fasten together,wherein the outer loop is threaded through at least one of the first andsecond buckle portions.
 6. The leash assembly of claim 5, wherein theinner loop is threaded through at least one of the first and secondbuckle portions.
 7. The leash assembly of claim 1, wherein when theinner loop is tightened, the outer loop is configured to loosen by theamount tightened, and when the inner loop is loosened, the outer loop isconfigured to tighten by the amount loosened.
 8. The leash assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the inner loop and the outer loop are configured to beadjusted simultaneously in the same direction.
 9. The leash assembly ofclaim 1, further comprising a second connector piece coupled with theouter belt.
 10. The leash assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end ofthe first leash is configured to rotate about an axis substantiallyperpendicular to a face of the belt.
 11. The leash assembly of claim 1,further comprising an adornment coupled with the first connector piece.12. The leash assembly of claim 1, further comprising a carrier coupledto the belt.
 13. A leash assembly comprising: a. a belt including astrap configured to form a plurality of continuous loops, wherein theplurality of continuous loops includes an inner loop and an outer loopsurrounding the inner loop such that adjustments of the inner loop andthe outer loop occur simultaneously, wherein the inner loop issubstantially coextensive with the outer loop yet detached fromsubstantially the entire circumference of the outer loop; b. a linkcoupled to and configured to move along at least a portion of the outerloop; and c. a leash coupled with the link.
 14. The leash assembly ofclaim 13, wherein the belt includes a buckle having a first portion anda second portion wherein the first and second buckle portions areadapted to fasten together.
 15. The leash assembly of claim 14, whereinends of the strap are coupled together.
 16. The leash assembly of claim15, wherein the coupled ends of the strap are affixed to one of thefirst and second buckle portions.
 17. The leash assembly of claim 13,wherein when the inner loop is tightened, the outer loop is configuredto loosen by the amount tightened, and when the inner loop is loosened,the outer loop is configured to tighten by the amount loosened.